Hudson City Council Regular Meeting and Workshop

Hudson City Council held a regular meeting at 7:30 PM and a workshop at 8:54 PM on August 6, 2024, at Town Hall. The meeting covered consent agenda items, honorary resolutions, public comments, legislation, and workshop discussions on park board goals and a land development code amendment for nonconforming residential uses.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes of Previous Meetings (24-0073): Approved unanimously for July 16 and July 23, 2024 meetings.
• Consent Agenda (24-89 to 24-93): Approved unanimously. Items included:
  • Resolution 24-89: Consent to ODOT resurfacing of Stow Road under I-480 bridges; state assumes 100% of costs.
  • Resolution 24-90: Authorization for College Street culvert replacement project (emergency declaration).
  • Resolution 24-91: Lease agreement with Republic First National Corp. for a street sweeper funded by $560,000 of excess general fund carryover.
  • Resolution 24-92: One-year natural gas supply agreement with Eastern Power and Gas.
  • Resolution 24-93: Purchase of one sewer cleaning combo truck for Public Works (also funded from $560,000 carryover).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Mr. Ron Brubaker (Trail Advocates of Summit County) urged Hudson to initiate a discussion with Boston Heights regarding the Heights to Hudson Multipurpose Trail. He noted Boston Heights was awarded a $900,000 grant but had not started construction, and expressed concern the trail would become a "trail to nowhere" without coordination.

Honorary Resolutions

• Resolution 24-87: Honored Mr. Thomas Vince for 29 years of service as historian and archivist at Western Reserve Academy. Adopted unanimously.
• Resolution 24-88: Honored Mr. Thomas King for his ten-year service on the Park Board, including chairing the board and involvement in the Master Parks Plan, trails, conservation, and inclusive playground. Adopted unanimously.

Legislation

• Resolution 24-63 (Park Facility Reservation Policy): Staff requested a postponement. Council suspended the three-reading rule and postponed the item to a date certain of September 17, 2024, due to ongoing discussions about the referral process to boards and commissions.

Executive Session

• Council entered executive session at 8:14 PM to discuss pending litigation (ORC 121.22(G)(3) and (5)). Member Nicole Kowalski recused herself. The session lasted until 8:48 PM.

Discussion Items (Workshop)

• Park Board Goals and Objectives (24-0074): Park Board Chair Linda O'Neil presented the 2024 priorities, which include maintaining and protecting assets, responding to changing community needs, creating opportunities for all, partnerships, and communication. Council discussed the feasibility of completing a 22-item priority list with only six meetings per year. Suggestions included creating measurable goals (SMART), increasing communication via the council liaison, exploring revenue-generating activities (e.g., kayak rentals), and pursuing a land swap with Summit Metro Parks (50 acres of Dock Woods for 20 acres at Hudson Springs). The 2024 park board budget is approximately $5 million (including $3.3 million in capital). Council asked for prioritization and more frequent updates.
• Land Development Code Amendment (TMP-7410): Community Development Director Greg Hannan presented proposed changes to Chapters 1205 and 1206 regarding setbacks and nonconforming residential uses in Districts 6 and 8. The amendment would increase the required setback for new commercial/industrial development adjacent to residentially-used properties (from 50 ft to 100 ft) and allow rebuilding of nonconforming residential structures up to 150% of original size if damaged or destroyed by any means. Debate focused on balancing resident protections with business development. Some members opposed the blanket setback increase, arguing it would hinder commercial development in designated districts. Others supported it as a buffer for existing homeowners. Council requested splitting the amendment into two separate pieces: one for D6/D8 setbacks, and one for nonconforming use rebuild standards. Staff was also asked to clarify that the 150% rebuild allowance is a one-time event and require damage to be from "acts of God" or accidental causes. The revised items will be brought back to the August 27, 2024 workshop.

Key Outcomes

• Consent items approved unanimously.
• Honorary resolutions adopted unanimously.
• Resolution 24-63 postponed to September 17, 2024.
• Executive session held on pending litigation.
• Park Board discussion: Council directed the Park Board to prioritize goals, provide measurable targets, and improve communication through the council liaison.
• LDC amendment: Council directed staff to split the proposal, revise language for rebuild provisions, and present two separate ordinances at the August 27 workshop.
• Proposed Consent Agenda Items for August 20 meeting (all forwarded):
  • A: July 2024 Financial Report.
  • B: Herrick Park Drive Drainage Improvement Project (estimated $134,000).
  • C: Amending Ravenna Road resurfacing cost from $90,750 to $313,252.21 due to inflation.
  • D: Ellsworth Meadows Golf Course Hole 17 retaining wall installation.
  • E: City Hall elevator modernization project.
  • F: Then-and-now certificate for Norfolk Southern invoice ($3,133.98).
• Future agenda items: Councilmember Sutton to bring parliamentary procedure revision to August 27 workshop; Councilmember Banweg working on legislation for carry-over funds set-aside for infrastructure; proclamations for Hudson High School Orchestra and "Take a Second, Make a Difference."
• The regular meeting was adjourned at 8:48 PM; the workshop adjourned at 9:38 PM.